The Power Of The Tongue
James 3:1-12
An old subject:
“Set a watch, O Jehovah, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips” – Psalms 141:3
“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
keepeth his soul from troubles” – Prov. 21:23
“If any man thinketh himself to be religious,
while he bridleth not his tongue but deceiveth
his heart, this man’s religion is vain.” – James
1:26
The Power Of The Tongue
James 3:1-12
1. To Direct: verses 1-5
Teaching (verse 1):
Not discourage faithful teaching: John
6:44-45; 2 Tim. 2:2; 1 Tim. 4:13-16
Stress accountability & give warning: Acts
20:28-30; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; 1 John 4:1-3
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And they that love it shall eat the fruit
thereof.” - Proverbs 18:22
The Power Of The Tongue
James 3:1-12
2. To Destroy: verses 5b-8
Satan’s flame-thrower & poison:
- Cursing: Ephesians 4:29; 5:3-4
- Slander: Proverbs 16:28; Romans 1:29-30
- Gossip: Proverbs 17:9
- Murmuring: 1 Corinthians 10:10
- Criticism: John 7:24
- Contentious words: Prov. 16:32; James 1:1920
The Power Of The Tongue
James 3:1-12
3. To Deceive: Verses 9-12
Tongue used in pretense: James 1:26; 2:14; 1
John 1:6, 8, 10
Our speech reveals who we are: Matthew
12:34-35
Lying: Proverbs 6:16-17; Revelation 21:8
The Power Of The Tongue
James 3:1-12
“So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be
judged by a law of liberty” – James 2:12
“And I say unto you, that every idle word that
men shall speak, they shall give account thereof
in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou
shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt
be condemned” – Matthew 12:36-37